DMK leader KN Nehru raided; MK Stalin slams TVK, calls move politically motivated

Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption officials on Saturday carried out searches on premises linked to former DMK minister KN Nehru across Tamil Nadu, prompting sharp criticism from party president MK Stalin, who called the action "politically motivated".

The searches were linked to alleged irregularities in the recruitment of 2,538 people during Nehru's tenure as Municipal Administration and Water Supply minister. Stalin said the move was an attempt to intimidate the opposition and accused the TVK government of using "purely politically motivated diversionary tactics" during the ongoing High Court case and the Assembly session.

Searches were under way in Tiruchirappalli, where Nehru's residence is located, and at premises belonging to his brother. Raids were also being conducted at several other places, including Chennai.

A large number of Nehru's supporters gathered outside his residence along with former School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi. Nehru briefly came out and appealed to them to leave for the party office.

Nehru, who represents the Tiruchirappalli West Assembly constituency, is the DMK's deputy floor leader in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and a prominent party leader in central Tamil Nadu.

The DVAC had earlier registered an FIR under Section 7(c) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, naming Nehru, the DMK's principal secretary, his brothers and several officials.

In a post on X, Stalin strongly condemned the searches and said the current administration was trying to divert attention. He said the people of Tamil Nadu were fully aware of the government's actions and alleged that the ruling dispensation had engaged in horse-trading to come to power, a charge denied earlier by the TVK government.

"The people of Tamil Nadu are well aware that, to form the government, they induced MLAs from other parties to resign and inducted them into their party right on the Assembly premises," Stalin said. He also alleged that the authorities had not even registered a preliminary inquiry report on formal complaints made in that matter.

Calling these actions a "dark side of Indian democracy", Stalin described the government's moves as routine political "gimmicks" and said neither senior leader Nehru nor the DMK would be intimidated.

"We will confront and triumph over everything as per law," he said, asserting that the party would challenge the administration's actions through legal means.